Enter the metaverse: Investment into UK creative industries

UK researchers will develop new technology to support the convergence of the gaming, screen, performance and wider digital entertainment sectors.
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is calling on researchers and creative industries professionals to apply to host a new creative facility for the UK’s renowned screen and performance sectors.
Convergent Screen Technologies And performance in Realtime (CoSTAR) will consist of a central hub and experimental studio fitted with real-time digital technologies.
The central hub will be enhanced by a network of regional labs across the UK and supported by a data, insight and foresight lab.
It will be supported by a £75.6 million investment over 6 years, subject to business case approval, and is funded primarily through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Infrastructure Fund.


Generating investment
The ambition is that this investment will generate at least an additional £20 million private sector investment.
CoSTAR will investigate the development and application of technology, which will enable the convergence of different creative sectors. This convergence is the foundation of the metaverse concept that will likely mark the next phase of the digital and creative economies.
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